Kit Siang calls for international inquiry into Morsi's death

An international inquiry should be formed to look into whether former Egyptian president Mohamad Morsi (above) died in prison because he was denied medical care, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said.

In a statement today, Lim said the international community should hold the Egyptian government responsible for Morsi's death.

Referring to reports by Human Rights Watch, Lim said Morsi had reportedly been subjected to "cruel and inhumane" treatment while being held in "appalling conditions" and had experienced diabetic coma.

"The international human rights inquiry should investigate the various reports over the years that Morsi had been mistreated and tortured in jail," he said.

Meanwhile, DAP international secretary Teo Nie Ching said the party's international viewed Morsi as a political prisoner and expressed the bureau's condolences.

"May his death remind us of the price of democracy, that regardless of affiliations and on where one's political inclinations lie on the complex political spectrum democracy embraces, the progress of our collective humanity should be of utmost priority.

"Solidarity with those oppressed - even those whom we disagree with - should be the rule and not an exception. Political differences should never be the cause to strip someone of his human rights. May he rest in peace," Teo said.

Morsi, 67, was Egypt's first democratically elected leader. He was ousted in a 2013 coup d'état after spending just one year in office.

He collapsed and died yesterday in an Egyptian courtroom where he was on trial for espionage.

Morsi's family has for long claimed that he had been denied treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes while constantly being held in solitary confinement.